Three Kona residents are in police custody as a result of an investigation into the fraudulent use of a credit card. On Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, a 27-year-old visitor contacted Hawai‘i Police Department to report that her personal bag had been stolen within the past couple of days. The victim noticed that a fraudulent transaction using her credit card, which was inside of her stolen bag, had taken place at a store in Kona.
Police responded to the store to view the video surveillance and while there observed a man and a woman come onto the property. The man, 40-year-old Frank Hesia Jr. of Kailua-Kona, was wearing the same clothing as the male suspect in the video that used the victim’s credit card to make a fraudulent purchase. Hesia Jr. was in the company of 43-yeard-old Sabrina Chu, also of Kailua-Kona, who was in possession of the victim’s stolen bag.
Hesia Jr. and Chu were arrested on site. During the course of the investigation police determined that the victim’s credit card was fraudulently used at four additional establishments in Kona. A third suspect, 50-year-old Joseph Fournier, of Kailua-Kona, also used the victim’s stolen credit card to make a purchase in an amount exceeding $300. Fournier was arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021.
The victim’s bag, with all contents accounted for, was returned to her. After conferring with the County Prosecutors Office on Nov. 9, Chu was charged with theft in the fourth degree and unauthorized possession of confidential personal information. Her bail was set at $2,250.
Fournier was charged for fraudulent use of a credit card, theft in the third degree, identity theft in the third degree, and unauthorized possession of confidential personal information. His bail was set at $6,500.
Hesia Jr. was charged for theft/forgery of a card, forgery in the third degree, habitual property crime, and four counts each of fraudulent use of a credit card, theft in the fourth degree, identity theft in the third degree, and unauthorized possession of confidential personal information. His bail was set at $109,000.
All three remain in custody pending their initial court appearance on Wednesday, Nov. 10.
Hawai‘i Police Department reminds the public to immediately contact their banks and credit card companies if their credit/debit cards are lost or stolen. Police also urge the public to frequently monitor their accounts for any suspicious or fraudulent activity. If you think your debit or credit cards are being used fraudulently and want to file a police report, contact the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311
